When this play was first produced, its most appealing role, Florimel, was played by the fabulous Nell Gwynn The details of Gwynn’s (1650-1687) biography are a little uncertain, but she grew up in the West End of London, on Drury Lane, without a father, under the care of an alcoholic mother. Her sister, Rose, was a prostitute. Nell early took on management of the family, working as a street hawker and bawdy-house servant. When, with the Restoration, the theaters re-opened, Nell got work as an “orange girl,” selling citrus snacks to the audience. She gradually migrated from the aisles to the stage. Her performance in this play, for which she wore men’s clothes, won her the heart of King Charles, who made her his mistress. Charles was so fond of the play that he had it performed repeatedly at the palace, an endorsement which made it not only a hit, but a social necessity.
Women had only recently been allowed to act, by Charles II’s decree. The salutary effect was not confined to women, but to playwriting itself. Dryden and his fellows began to write roles with an eye to female performers, and the depiction of women onstage began to take greater plausibility.

plus-circle Add Review

comment

Reviews